AC Milan, the army of Pioli and the Italian reigning champions dropped points uninspiringly against lowly ranked Salernitina, squandering the advantage of the top four race, even after a first half opener from Olivier Giroud.
Early lead wasted
Olivier Giroud has been in good form this season, and last night was not an exception either. He hit the back of the net just before half time beautifully assisted by Bennacer from the corner, thus taking a lead and having an advantage to pocket the game. But 16th ranked Salernitina had other plans as Senegalese attacker Boulaye Dia blasted his shot, thus cancelling out Giroud’s opener.
The Rossoneri could have taken an advantage of the poor results from Inter, Roma by winning this game and climbing to second position with same points, but it was not the case as they will be on the fourth position, and tightly remaining on the fourth position.
Shaky at the back
The defence troika of Tomori, Thiaw and Kalulu, although were outsmarting their opponents but due to lack of coverage , they conceded the goal. They were punished for their nervy defense after Dia’s first time finish blasted the near post of the goal.
Changes in the front eleven
Pioli made a couple of changes from the game that created history by drawing with Spurs, thus reaching the quarters after nearly a decade. Alexis Saelemakers came in for injured Junior Messias at wingback and Algerian Ismael Bennacer joined Rade Krunic supported the midfield.
Opportunities of scoring wasted
Although being dominant in possession and creating big chances, they had squandered the opportunities to go in the front. Salernitina keeper “Memo” Ochoa, lived up to his name, saving shots from the Milan attackers.
The Rossoneri’s first big chance of the game came midway through the first half as Theo Hernandez was stopped by Gyomber but the ball fell to Rafael Leao who flashed a shot across the face of goal which needed touching in, thus failed to take an early lead and putting pressure on opponent.
Giroud launched a spectacular bicycle kick which went over the bar, missing another opportunity.
Maignan- wall at the back
There should not be any doubt regarding goalie Maignan’s capabilities. The French keeper is slowly getting into his prime, thwarting any attack from the opposition. Even last night, he came off his line to save an attempt by Dia, which came into the fore because of a mix-up between Thiaw and Kalulu , slide tackling him.
After conceding the goal, Pioli gave a fitting reply by triple substitution of Leao, Diaz and goal scorer Giroud, by the attacking trio of Ibrahimovic, Kaetelaere and Origi, in hope of scoring some more goals.
The last chance which came for Milan was when a penalty was awarded initially when Bennacer tumbled inside the box, but it was overturned by VAR, thus their opportunity to go ahead went on vain,
